I'd like to see her more engaged before asking for longish sequences of heeling. I want to get rid of some of that glancing around etc. Luckily, this is directly related to the "warm up routine" section of Level 9, so I'll let you watch that first. :-)
Yes, let's work sidesteps in person! I think some of this is related to her attention/engagement though.
for sure, this was one of our first practices outside of the house in a long time. There was lots of action around the outer loop of this park. I think I need to expect less and maybe do less variety in these instances?
@Lauren & Luna Oops, sorry I missed the question in here before. Yes! Ask for less until she is engaged enough to do the quality of work we're looking for in her heeling. More or less variety depends on the dog...
Sidesteps and pacing, can we maybe tackle Sidesteps in our next IRL lesson? I want to see if you can show me how to get her to move with front and black fluidity
Yep! Your footwork is accurate to how the actual sign is. And Luna's sidestep is acceptable by the Rally rules. I'd like her front and back half to move together more, but that's me being nitpick-y.
So late to this party - by adding sits you mean once she comes into front position? Also do you think it’s okay for me to start using the word “front” again? I’m playing with it here and there but if you recall she was taught a very sloppy front during previous training so I don’t want to blow her mind.
Yes I mean adding sits once she comes into front position, but I want to hear about what is giving you a hard time.
You could always use a new word if you're worried about her confusing "front" with her past behavior! Personally I would wait for sits to be part of the routine until using the cue.
We practiced again today for the first time since the holidays, awful I know. I think I’m going to try a new verbal with it. I can see her start to guess herself when I use the word “front.” She was moving really well with me when we were doing this a ton and now she’s like meh. So I think we’re just going to put in some solid practice then I can show you my hesitancy or hers, or mine that is projecting into her.
Cone turn guys: Lovely! The weaving is so tight and fancy.
If I wanted to be super picky - I've noticed she always wants to sit wide after a right turn + immediate halt. I would work on this by halting less suddenly (gradually slow to a halt) after right turns, to give her time to be thoughtful and hopefully correct herself. Just an aesthetic thing, though.
Fronts: AWESOME. Can you step in a little closer to her while you practice?
Sequencing: Wonderful!
For your own muscle memory: Do some reps where you walk at a prop representing a Rally sign, and practice the sidestep. I myself have gotten dinged for doing a diagonal step (forward and to the side) instead of straight to the side.
With Fronts: if I’m moving clockwise (I think) I can get in close. If I move the other way, we both need more space for some reason. I’ll have to take a video specifically to show you. It could all be in my head or I could be self imposing it.
Will certainly work on my side steps. IDK why that one is so mid boggling to me.
Also - I’ve noticed her wanting to sit wide after right turns and a halt OR if we have been at it a while and she gets sloppy.
For side steps: You were just freestyling, so it's all good! I'm just recommending practicing that one deliberately like the sign is done, since I haven't seen that final picture yet and I know it can be weird.
For the written part of this one, I would say the only thing I am worried about when it comes to trialing is the close presence of other dogs and the sounds they make.
That being said, we have practiced rally courses at Newf events and while we were running them, her focus on me didn't break much. That was also a year ago so I'm not sure if that would be better or worse now. Her reactivity has definitely reduced since she mastered her little head up heel and it shows even in our "free" walks.
People being close, dropping food, different sounds, loudspeakers - nothing really shakes her. Just dogs being close or screaming for their round in anticipation.
Woohoo!
I'd like to see her more engaged before asking for longish sequences of heeling. I want to get rid of some of that glancing around etc. Luckily, this is directly related to the "warm up routine" section of Level 9, so I'll let you watch that first. :-)
Yes, let's work sidesteps in person! I think some of this is related to her attention/engagement though.
Engagement in new doggo places and some fronts
Sidesteps and pacing, can we maybe tackle Sidesteps in our next IRL lesson? I want to see if you can show me how to get her to move with front and black fluidity
Pacing work
side Steps are getting better but def need to break out the sign
Fronts - sorry this is so long. I’m talking through where I’m struggling with this too. Wtf am I doing wrong?
Cone turn guys: Lovely! The weaving is so tight and fancy.
If I wanted to be super picky - I've noticed she always wants to sit wide after a right turn + immediate halt. I would work on this by halting less suddenly (gradually slow to a halt) after right turns, to give her time to be thoughtful and hopefully correct herself. Just an aesthetic thing, though.
Fronts: AWESOME. Can you step in a little closer to her while you practice?
Sequencing: Wonderful!
For your own muscle memory: Do some reps where you walk at a prop representing a Rally sign, and practice the sidestep. I myself have gotten dinged for doing a diagonal step (forward and to the side) instead of straight to the side.
For the written part of this one, I would say the only thing I am worried about when it comes to trialing is the close presence of other dogs and the sounds they make.
That being said, we have practiced rally courses at Newf events and while we were running them, her focus on me didn't break much. That was also a year ago so I'm not sure if that would be better or worse now. Her reactivity has definitely reduced since she mastered her little head up heel and it shows even in our "free" walks.
People being close, dropping food, different sounds, loudspeakers - nothing really shakes her. Just dogs being close or screaming for their round in anticipation.
Sequencing
Fronts with a target